11 May 2023: According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS 2021), UAE students have shown significant improvement compared to the previous edition (PIRLS 2016), with a 33-point increase. The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) conducted the study, involving 27,448 fifth-grade students from 663 schools, both public and private UAE-based schools.
PIRLS provides internationally comprehensive data on how well children read and helps educators and educational policy makers draw evidence-based solutions to improve students' reading skills. The Ministry of Education is keen to take part in this test because of its significant impact on enhancing the educational process within the country.
The IEA conducted the PIRLS 2021 study in 65 learning environments consisting of 57 countries and eight educational systems. The UAE participated in this study with a sample of fourth-grade students in its last two editions (PIRLS 2011) and (PIRLS 2016), and with a sample of fifth-grade students in its latest edition (PIRLS 2021), due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In PIRLS 2021, the UAE's sample size experienced significant growth, with an additional 177 schools compared to the previous edition.
HE Dr. Mohammed Al Mulla, Undersecretary for Academic Affairs of Higher Education recognized that the UAE's leadership is actively working to improve the educational system, specifically in enhancing children's reading skills. This has led to notable progress in the country's strategic approach to education. Reading indicators have witnessed a significant improvement through the Arab Reading Challenge launched in 2015 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The challenge has become crucial in achieving the goals of the National Agenda. The objective is for UAE students to achieve top rankings globally in reading, mathematics, and science exams, as well as to possess a strong command of the Arabic language.
It was also stated that the results of PIRLS 2021 showed significant improvement in UAE students' performance. Their average score reached 483 points, which is a 33-point increase compared to their performance in PIRLS 2016.
HE Dr. Mohammed Al Mulla also revealed that UAE students' scores increased by 7% at the advanced and high levels, while decreasing by 7% at the low level.
And he said: "The Ministry of Education is keen on participating in international studies aimed at measuring reading achievement, so the country took part in PIRLS 2021 that measures students' ability to understand written texts and use narratives to measure their literary reading skills. The test also assesses students' ability to acquire information and scientific facts through comprehending informative texts."